A&J
1319 Rockville Pike, Rockville
One of the few restaurants on Washingtonian’s 100 Very Best Restaurants list that’s open on Christmas Day, Rockville’s beloved northern dim sum parlor is a tradition for DC area Jewish families on the holiday. Plan ahead, though: the queue for dan dan noodles, pan-fried pork dumplings, and cucumber salad can be especially long on Christmas.
All Purpose
79 Potomac Ave., SE
The hip Jersey-style pizzeria’s Capitol Riverfront location is hosting a Santa Brunch fundraiser, now in its fifth year, to benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a pediatric cancer research charity. The brunch ($10 per person, not including food), held on Saturday, December 16, includes a photo with Santa, hot chocolate, and holiday crafts. Book a spot here.
Centrolina
974 Palmer Alley, NW
Chef Amy Brandwein brings her refined approach to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, a Christmas Eve tradition. For $150 per person—reserve your space here—the family-style spread includes focaccia with anchovy; baccalà alla Veneziana; fritto misto; squid ink pici; and swordfish with chicory in caper/lemon broth. For dessert: a chocolate/chestnut yule log cake.
Cranes
724 Ninth St., NW
Chef Pepe Moncayo’s Spanish-Japanese menu expands to include a special takeout-only holiday feast all month long. Choose between a crispy roasted suckling pig for two ($150) or a braised veal shank for four ($225)— both prices include sides like squash miso purée and wild arugula salad. Pastry chef Anna Glockl’s Basque cheesecake is a special dessert option. Order here.
The Dabney
122 Blagden Alley, NW
“Dabnog”, a rich, boozy concoction of bourbon, rye, madeira, black rum, sorghum molasses, eggs, milk, and spices, has become a holiday tradition at DC’s top restaurant. Order it by the quart on Tock for $50, or get a three-quarth package for $140.
Gravitas
1401 Okie St., NE
The industrial Ivy City tasting room is celebrating Christmas Eve with brunch ($75) and dinner ($155 and up) takeout menus and optional wine pairings— find details and place orders here. You can also preorder treats like a holiday cookie box and an eggnog kit with rye.
Inn at Little Washington
309 Middle St., Washington, VA
The region’s only triple-Michelin-starred restaurant makes for a luxurious holiday getaway. Book prepaid reservations ($348 per person) for dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas day.
L’Ardente
200 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Chef David Deshaies’s extravagant Italian eatery is partaking in an extravagant Italian-American tradition from Sunday, December 17 through Christmas Eve: the Feast of the Seven Fishes. The meal ($250 for two) includes two glasses of Veuve Clicquot, oysters on the half shell; hamachi crudo; seafood campanelle; and charred dorade, among other dishes.
L’Auberge Chez Francois
331 Springvale Rd., Great Falls
The warm, traditional Alsatian-style inn gets especially festive around Christmas, with over-the-top holiday decor and a variety of specials. Chez Francois prepares a seven-course Christmas Eve dinner (prices vary) with main course selections like rack of lamb, beef wellington, and Maine lobster with Sauternes/butter sauce. There are also take-home menus and a classic bûche de noël (serves 12).
Le Diplomate
1601 14th St., NW
The Logan Circle bistro breaks out the classy coniferous decor and string lights for its gorgeous annual holiday display. Le Dip also hosts family-friendly visits with Mrs. Claus on Saturday, December 16th and Sunday, December 17th, with hot cocoa and cider, Pets de Nonne donuts, and crafty activities. Plus, the restaurant is open all day on Christmas.
Marcel’s
2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Robert Wiedmaier’s elegant French-Belgian tasting menu destination transforms into a kid-friendly holiday crafting zone on Saturday, December 16 as pastry chef Zarmina Khan leads a gingerbread house workshop. The $90 activity (free for kids under 6) makes use of Khan’s own freshly baked gingerbread and includes holiday punch, champagne, hot cocoa, and light snacks.
Nina May
1337 11th St., NW
The farm-to-table corner restaurant in Shaw is taking part in several Christmas traditions this year. On Tuesday, December 12, the restaurant hosts a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, and on Christmas Eve, chef Colin McClimans will lead a traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes ($90 per person; family style) with dishes like scallop rosette crudo; squid ink sorpresine with braised squid; and monkfish piccata. Even the dessert course incorporates trout roe. Throughout the month of December, the restaurant’s heated patio is done up with holiday decor and fire pits, and there are special cocktails like mulled wine and Amaretto-spiked Mexican hot chocolate.
St. James and Cane
2017 14th St., NW; 403 H St., NE
The 14th Street Trinidadian outpost and its sibling eatery, H Street’s Cane, are bringing a holiday tradition from the islands to DC this year. St. James’s pastelles—similar to tamales—are stuffed with ground beef, olives, raisins, and capers, and steamed in banana leaves. Order them here at $100 for a dozen, or $80 a dozen for the vegetarian alternative. If you’re dining in at St. James and Cane, you can also sip a ponche de crème ($15), a traditional milk-and-rum punch popular around the holidays in Trinidad.
Unconventional Diner
1207 Ninth St., NW
The refined comfort food spot in Shaw is often a great place to find holiday fare available for takeout. From Friday, December 15 through December 31 (excluding Christmas Day), pick up a three-course meal ($75 per person) made up of a crab bisque, beef wellington with string beans and mashed potatoes, and chocolate-hazelnut bûche de noël. Reserve your holiday meals at least four days in advance here.
